Times are changing. For the second time since his election as President of the IOC, Thomas Bach spoke before the leaders of the world’s major powers.
Thomas Bach remained in his office at the Olympic House in Lausanne, but he delivered virtually almost the same speech as he did last year in Japan, with one subtle difference…
In Osaka, in June 2019, Thomas Bach had drawn from his pockets the usual values of Olympism, including universality and solidarity. At that time, the world was living in the world before. This Sunday, the German leader added a health dimension to the array of Olympic arguments.
“Sport can save lives,” Thomas Bach assured. “During the coronavirus health crisis, we all saw how important sport was for physical and mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it by signing a cooperation agreement with the IOC. Following the conclusion of this agreement, the United Nations, WHO, and the IOC teamed up to launch a campaign called ‘Healthy Together,’ undertaking several international projects on this occasion. We are also preparing to participate in a global vaccination campaign.”
“This health crisis has taught us one important thing: we need more solidarity,” Thomas Bach insisted. “More solidarity within societies and more solidarity between societies. We will soon celebrate this example of solidarity on the occasion of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These Olympic Games, in which 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will participate, will send a strong message of solidarity, resilience, and unity of humanity in all its diversity.”
